Exterior siding mounting brackets with a water diversion device

ABSTRACT

An exterior siding mounting bracket used in conjunction with siding placed over sheathing of an exterior wall has a base member having a base flange fastened to the sheathing. A wall arrangement projects laterally outward from the base flange and away from the sheathing. A trim member of the bracket has a partition arrangement that preferably snap fits to the wall arrangement and a trim flange constructed and arranged to cover cut edges of the siding that cover in-part the base flange. Integrated at least into the trim member is a water diversion device that diverts water away from the base flange and sheathing. Preferably, the water diversion device has an elongated trough supported by the trim member and projecting laterally inward from the trim flange and toward the base flange and above the wall and partition arrangements. The trough preferably has a face that defines a channel opened upwardly for receipt of the falling water and a hole communicating through the face for drainage of the water out of the water out of the trough.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The subject patent application is a continuation application of andclaims priority to and all the benefits of U.S. patent application Ser.No. 12.831,018 filed Jul. 6, 2010, which is a continuation applicationof and claims priority to and all of the benefits of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 12/390,154 filed Feb. 20, 2009, now U.S. Pat. No.7,748,174, which is a divisional application of and claims priority toand all the benefits of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/438,165filed on May 22, 2006, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,516,578, which claimspriority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/682,692 filed onMay 20, 2005.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The subject invention generally relates to exterior siding mountingbrackets and more particularly to exterior siding mounting bracketshaving an integrated water diversion device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Especially common in residential building structures, exterior walls orunderlayment are known to be covered with a siding material typicallymade of aluminum, plastic, cedar or other synthetic material often madeto appear like wood. Often, various exterior appendages of the home suchas drying vents, exterior light fixtures, electrical outlets, and waterspigots must be trimmed-out for aesthetic reasons. This is commonly donewith a mounting bracket similar to that illustrated in FIG. 1 as priorart and disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,920,708 and incorporated herein byreference in its entirety. The known bracket 20 has a base member 22that snap fits to a trim member 24 along an axis 26 disposedperpendicular to the underlayment and during assembly. The base member22 has a continuous flange 28 that projects radially outward and istypically nailed to the underlayment. Projecting axially or laterallyoutward from the flange 28 and to an inner central panel 30 is acontinuous wall 32. Generally, the wall 32 defines the perimeter of thecentral panel 30. A cutout 34 communicates through the panel 30 and hasa shape generally dictated by the appendage projecting through it (notshown).

The trim member 24 has a continuous partition 36 that projects laterallyand axially inward toward the base member 22, and a aestheticallypleasing flange 38 that projects radially outward from the partition 36.An opening 39 is generally defined by the partition 36 and receives thewall 32 and panel 30 when the bracket 20 is assembled. The partition 36is generally shaped to conform with the wall 32. Multi-positional snapfit features (not shown) are known to be carried between a radiallyoutward surface 40 of the wall 32 and a radially inward surface 42 ofthe partition 36. When the bracket is assembled, the close proximity ofthe partition 36 to the wall 32 causes the feature to lock the partitionand wall together.

During construction of the building, once the base member 22 is securedto the wall, the siding material is installed over the wall and over theflange 28. The siding, however, must be trimmed so that it is slightlyspaced from the continuous wall 32 of the base member 22. This spacingallows room for entry of the continuous partition 36 of the trim piece24, yet is close enough to the wall so that the ends are aestheticallyconcealed by the outer flange 38 of the trim member 24 which issubstantially flush to the siding. Unfortunately, the siding istypically exposed to rain or water which flows down the siding andbeneath the exterior flange 38. This water can accumulate and seep intothe concealed ends of the siding and seep further to down the innerflange 28 of the base member 22 exposing the underlayment to moisture.This retain moisture can potentially create a host of problems includingthe rot of wood, disintegration of simulated materials and theattraction of unwanted insects.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION AND ADVANTAGES

The present invention includes an exterior siding mounting bracketsecured to substructure and orientated substantially vertical andin-part generally projecting over siding that covers the substructure.The exterior siding mounting bracket comprises a base member attached tothe substructure and having at least one elongated wall projectinglaterally outward from the substructure. A trim member has an outerflange with the siding disposed between the substructure and the outerflange. The exterior siding mounting bracket includes an elongated firstside partition and an elongated second side partition spaced from thefirst side partition by a first distance. The first and second sidepartitions project laterally inward with respect to the substructure andfrom the outer flange for snap fitting to the at least one elongatedwall. A water diversion device has a trough located above the first andsecond side partitions, supported by the outer flange and projectinglaterally toward the substructure for receiving and diverting waterrun-off away from the substructure. At least one drainage tube of thewater diversion device projects unitarily downward from the trough.

Features, advantages and benefits of the present invention include amounting bracket with improved water shedding capabilities thateliminates the potential of sheathing from being exposed to moisturewhich could cause damage to structural material and potentially attractunwanted insects. Other advantages include the reduction or eliminationof structural maintenance, a bracket design that is relatively simpleand robust, and a bracket that is inexpensive to manufacture and easy toinstall.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated asthe same becomes better understood by reference to the followingdetailed description when considered in connection with the accompanyingdrawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a prior art mounting bracket;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a water diversion device of amounting bracket embodying the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective front view of a base member of the mountingbracket of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective rear view of a trim member of the mountingbracket;

FIG. 5 is a perspective rear view of the mounting bracket;

FIG. 6 is a front view of the mounting bracket;

FIG. 7 is a cross section of the mounting bracket taken along line 7-7of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a partial enlarged cross section of the mounting bracket takenfrom circle 8 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a perspective front view of a second embodiment of a trimmember of a mounting bracket;

FIG. 10 is a partial enlarged cross section of the trim member takenfrom circle 10 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is top view of the trim member of the second embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a side view of the trim member of the second embodiment;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a water diversion device of a thirdembodiment of a mounting bracket;

FIG. 14 is a partial enlarged perspective view of the water diversiondevice taken from circle 14 of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a perspective rear view of the third embodiment with a basemember removed to show internal detail;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a trim member of the third embodiment;and

FIG. 17 is a cut-away environmental view of the mounting bracket.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

As best illustrated in FIGS. 2-8, a mounting bracket 50 embodying thepresent invention that preferably fastens to a substructure of anexterior wall is a substantially vertical orientation. The substructureis generally an underlayment or sheathing that is preferably coveredwith a siding material as shown in FIG. 17. The mounting bracket 50 hasa base member 52 that snap fits to a trim member 54 along an axis 56preferably disposed substantially perpendicular to the underlayment andduring assembly. The base member 52 has continuous flange 58 and apreferably continuous wall arrangement 62 (see FIG. 3). The flange 58projects radially outward from the wall arrangement 62 and is typicallynailed to the underlayment. The wall arrangement 62 projects axially orlaterally outward from the flange 58 and preferably to an inner centralpanel 60 spaced from and orientated substantially parallel to theunderlayment. Generally, the wall arrangement 62 defines or carries aperimeter 63 of the central panel 60. A cutout 64 communicates throughthe panel 32 and has a shape generally dictated by the appendageprojecting through it (not shown).

The trim member 54 preferably has a continuous partition arrangement 66that projects laterally and/or axially inward toward the base member 52,and an aesthetically pleasing flange 68 that projects radially outwardfrom the partition arrangement 66. The partition arrangement 66 isgenerally shaped to conform with the wall arrangement 62.Multi-positional snap fit features (not shown) are preferably carriedbetween a radially outward surface 70 of the wall arrangement 62 and aradially inward surface 72 of the partition arrangement 66. When thebracket 50 is assembled, the close proximity of the partitionarrangement 66 to the wall arrangement 62 causes the feature to lock thepartition and wall arrangements together at an axial orientationgenerally dictated by the thickness of the siding.

Referring to FIG. 3, preferably the wall arrangement 62 of the basemember 52 forms a rectangular or square shape having a left side wall74, a right side wall 76, a top wall 78 and a bottom wall 80. The sidewall 74, 76 are substantially vertical and the top and bottom wall 78,80 are substantially horizontal. The top wall 78 extends longitudinallybetween top ends of respective left and right side walls 74, 76 thushaving a longitudinal length that is generally equal to a spatialdistance 82 measured between the side walls 74, 76. Similarly, theflange 58 of the base member 52 has a left portion 84 associated withthe left side wall 74, a right portion 86 associated with the right sidewall 76, a top portion 88 associated with the top wall 78, andpreferably a bottom portion 90 associated with the bottom wall 80. Oneskilled in the art, however, would now realize that the continuous wallarrangement 62 may take the form of any shape including but not limitedto that of a circle, oval, octagon and hexagon.

Referring to FIG. 4, preferably the partition arrangement 66 of the trimmember 54 conforms in shape to the wall arrangement 62, thus preferablyhaving a left side partition 92, a right side partition 94, a toppartition 96 and a bottom partition 98. The side partitions 92, 94 aresubstantially vertical and the top and bottom partitions 96, 98 aresubstantially horizontal. Similarly, the flange 68 of the trim member 54has a left portion 100 associated with the left side partition 92, aright portion 102 associated with the right side partition 94, a topportion 104 associated with the top partition 96, and preferably abottom portion 106 associated with the bottom partition 98.

A water diversion device 105 catches water shedding off of the sidinggenerally at the top of the mounting bracket 50 and diverts the flowoutward and away from the underlayment. Referring to FIG. 2, the waterdiversion device 105 preferably has an eave 107 and a lower trough 108.Preferably, both the eave 107 and the trough 108 have respective enddams 110, 112 that directs water flow. Water flowing into the eave 107cascades into the trough 108 where it is preferably directed throughfirst and second holes 114, 116 of the device 105 in the trim flange 68.

The eave 107 has an elongated shelf 118 having opposite ends attached tothe respective end dams 110 and a chamfered backsplash 120 that extendslongitudinally with the shelf 118 and generally connects with the enddams 110. As best illustrated in FIG. 3, the backsplash 120 of the eave107 is preferably secured to the top portion 88 of the flange 58 via anadhesive or is injection molded as one unitary plastic piece. If theeave 107 and the base member 52 are one piece, an inward face 122 of theflange 58 may generally act as the backsplash 120. The trough 108 has anelongated bottom segment 124 having opposite ends attached to therespective end dams 112 and an elongated lip 126 that projects laterallyupward from and extends longitudinally with the bottom segment 124 andgenerally connects sealably to the end dams 112. A forward longitudinaledge 128 of the bottom segment 124 is preferably connected to the topportion 104 of the trim flange 68 via a water resistant adhesive.Alternatively, the bottom segment 124 can be integrated into the toppartition 96 of the partition arrangement 66 if the trough 108 and thetrim member 54 are injection molded as one unitary plastic piece. Ineither case, the trough 108 carries a generally concave face 130 thatdefines a water channel 132 that is generally open upward for receipt ofwater dropping from the eave 107. Water entering the channel 132 thenflows out through the communicating holes 114, 116.

The substantially horizontal distance between holes 114, 116 ispreferably greater than the distance 82 measured between the side walls74, 76 of the wall arrangement 62, and preferably less than a horizontalwidth or distance 139 of the base flange 58. In order for the holes 114,116 to communicate directly with the channel 132 of the trough 108, thedistance between the end dams 112 is greater than the distance betweenthe holes 114, 116. For mounting bracket applications that can adjust tovarying thicknesses of siding, such as that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.5,918,431 assigned to the assignee of the present invention andincorporated herein by reference in its entirety, the horizontal orlateral width of the trough 108 generally represents the minimumthickness of siding compatible with the mounting bracket 50 (see FIG.8). Moreover, the width of the eave 107 is less than the width of thetrough 108 to assure that the eave 107 does not abut against the trimflange 68 which would undesirable restrict water flow when a minimumsiding thickness is applied. However, the width of the eave 107 is largeenough to handle the thickness range of siding that the bracket 50 iscompatible with. That is, the width of the eave 107 represents thedifference in thickness between the maximum and minimum sidingthicknesses that the bracket 50 can generally handle with the assembledoutcome being the trim flange 68 being substantially flush with anexterior surface of the siding.

During construction of the building and with the sheathing on theexterior wall, the flange 58 of the base member 52 is preferably nailedto the sheathing. The siding material is then installed over the walland over the base flange 28. The siding, however, must be trimmed or cutto create a gap between the cut ends and the side walls 74, 76 of thecontinuous wall 62 of the base member 52. This gap allows room for entryof the side partitions 92, 94 of the continuous partition arrangement 66of the trim member 54, yet is close enough to the wall so that the cutends are aesthetically concealed by the outer flange 68 of the trimmember 54 which is substantially flush to the siding. Similarly, thesiding must be appropriately trimmed to cover a portion of the topportion 88 of the base flange 58 but clear enough from the top wall 78to permit space for the protruding eave 107.

When fully assembled, water drips off of the siding located above theeave 107 and falls into the eave. From there, the water falls into thetrough 108 and out the holes 114, 116. After flowing from the holes, thewater drips down the exterior face of the left and right side portions102, 104 of the trim flange 68 where it then sheds upon the exteriorface of the siding below or simple falls to the ground clear of thesheathing.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 9-12, a second embodiment of the mountingbracket 50′ is illustrated wherein like elements have like identifyingnumerals except with the addition of a prime symbol. In the secondembodiment, the eave 107 of the first embodiment is not required.Instead, the mounting bracket 50′ has a trough 108′ of a water diversiondevice 105′ having a resiliently flexible lip 126′ that is biasedagainst a top portion 88′ of a base flange 58′ of a base member (notshown). Preferably, the trim member 54′ and a portion of the trough 108′is made of injection molded plastic and the lip 126′ is a rubber likematerial either press fitted to the plastic portion of the trough 108′or is formed to the trim member 54′ during a dual injectionmanufacturing process generally known in the art. Preferably, the lip126′ projects from a shelf 124′ at an angle directed in an upward andinward direction. The width or projection of the lip 126′ issufficiently large to accommodate a range of siding thicknesses.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 13-16, a third embodiment of the mountingbracket 50″ is illustrated wherein like elements have like identifyingnumerals except with the addition of a double prime symbol. In thisthird embodiment, the holes 114, 116 of the first embodiment are not inthe top portion 104″ of the trim flange 68″ and instead holes 114″, 116″are placed in a bottom segment 124″ of a trough 108″ of a waterdiversion device 105″. Preferably, the holes 114″, 116″ are located atrespective ends of the trough 108″ and generally skewed toward the trimflange 68″ as oppose to a base flange (not shown). The holes 114″, 116″each communicate with respective passages 146 defined by substantiallyvertical drainage tubes 142, 144 connected to and generally draping downfrom the bottom segment 124″ thus forming an inverted U-shape. A channel132″ of the trough 108″ is generally defined by two opposing dam ends112″, a longitudinal first lip 126″ and a longitudinal second lip 140disposed opposite the first lip 126″.

In this third embodiment of bracket 50″ the trim flange 68″ ispreferably not generally flush with the siding. Instead, an outerperipheral rim 148 projects axially inward from the trim flange 68″ andat a distance to at least partially accommodate the tubes 142, 144. Thatis, when the bracket 50″ is fully assembly, the siding is generallydisposed between the base flange of a base member (not shown) and thetubes 142, 144, and the tubes are generally layered between the left andright portions of the trim flange 68″ and the siding near the cut endsof the siding. Preferably, two notches 150 are cut out from a bottomportion of the rim 148 to permit passage of the distal ends of therespective tubes 142, 144.

During assembly of bracket 50″, the inverted U-shaped trough 108″ andtubes 142, 144 can be draped over the partition arrangement of the trimmember 54″ as a third piece of the bracket 50″. Alternatively, portionsor all of the trough 108″ and tubes 142, 144 can be integrated or moldedinto the adjacent trim flange and partition arrangement of the trimmember 54″.

The invention has been described in an illustrative manner, and it is tobe understood that the terminology which has been used is intended to bein the nature of words of description rather than of limitation.Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present inventionare possible in light of the above teachings. It is, therefore, to beunderstood that reference numerals are utilized merely for convenienceand are not to be limiting in any way, and that the invention may bepracticed otherwise than as specifically described.

1.-20. (canceled)
 21. An exterior siding mounting bracket for beingsecured to a substructure and for being orientated substantiallyvertical and in part generally projecting over siding that covers thesubstructure, the exterior siding mounting bracket comprising: a basemember for attachment to the substructure and including at least oneelongated wall for projecting outward from the substructure; a trimmember including an outer flange for receiving the siding between thesubstructure and the outer flange and including an elongated sidepartition projecting from the outer flange inward toward the base forsnap fitting to the at least one elongated wall; and a water diversiondevice including a trough located above the partition, the trough beingsupported by the outer flange and projecting toward the base member forreceiving and diverting water run-off away from the substructure; thewater diversion device including an eave projecting from the base towardthe outer flange above the trough for draining water into the trough.22. The exterior siding mounting bracket set forth in claim 21 whereinthe eave includes an elongated shelf extending between opposite ends andend dams extending from the elongated shelf at the opposite ends. 23.The exterior siding mounting bracket set forth in claim 22 wherein theelongated shelf is spaced from the outer flange of the trim member. 24.The exterior siding mounting bracket set forth in claim 22 wherein theeave includes a backsplash that extends between the end dams along thebase and is chamfered.
 25. The exterior siding mounting bracket setforth in claim 21 wherein the water diversion device includes at leastone hole extending through the outer flange for flowing water out of thetrough.
 26. The exterior siding mounting bracket set forth in claim 25further comprising a concave face of the trough carried in part by theouter flange and defining a cavity opened upwardly and communicatingwith the at least one hole.
 27. The exterior siding mounting bracket setforth in claim 26 further comprising first and second end dams of thetrough carrying in part the concave face.
 28. The exterior sidingmounting bracket set forth in claim 21 further comprising a first sideportion of the outer flange connected to the side partition, a secondside portion of the outer flange connected to the side partition; and atop portion of the outer flange extending between upper ends of thefirst and second side portions and supporting the trough.
 29. Theexterior siding mounting bracket set forth in claim 28 wherein the waterdiversion device includes at least one hole extending through the outerflange and wherein water draining from the at least one hole travelsdown at least one of the first and second side portions.
 30. An exteriorsiding mounting bracket for being secured to a substructure and forbeing orientated substantially vertical and in part generally projectingover siding that covers the substructure, the exterior siding mountingbracket comprising: a base member for attachment to the substructure andhaving at least one elongated wall for projecting outward from thesubstructure; a trim member including an outer flange for receiving thesiding between the substructure and the outer flange and having anelongated first side partition and an elongated second side partitionspaced from the first side partition, the first and second sidepartitions each extending from the outer flange inward toward the basefor snap fitting to the at least one elongated wall; and a waterdiversion device including a trough located above the first and secondside partitions, the trough being supported by the outer flange andprojecting toward the base member for receiving and diverting waterrun-off away from the substructure; the water diversion device includingan eave projecting from the base toward the outer flange above thetrough for draining water into the trough; and the water diversiondevice including at least one hole extending through the outer flangefor flowing water out of the trough.
 31. The exterior siding mountingbracket set forth in claim 30 wherein the eave includes an elongatedshelf extending between opposite ends and end dams extending from theelongated shelf at the opposite ends.
 32. The exterior siding mountingbracket set forth in claim 31 wherein the elongated shelf is spaced fromthe outer flange of the trim member.
 33. The exterior siding mountingbracket set forth in claim 31 wherein the eave includes a backsplashthat extends between the end dams along the base and is chamfered. 34.The exterior siding mounting bracket set forth in claim 30 furthercomprising a concave face of the trough carried in part by the outerflange and defining a cavity opened upwardly and communicating with theat least one hole.
 35. The exterior siding mounting bracket set forth inclaim 31 further comprising first and second end dams of the troughcarrying in part the concave face.
 36. The exterior siding mountingbracket set forth in claim 30 further comprising a first side portion ofthe outer flange connected to the first side partition, a second sideportion of the outer flange connected to the second side partition; anda top portion of the outer flange extending between upper ends of thefirst and second side portions and supporting the trough so that waterdraining from the at least one hole travels down at least one of thefirst and second side portions.
 37. An exterior siding mounting bracketfor being secured to a substructure and for being orientatedsubstantially vertical and in part generally projecting over siding thatcovers the substructure, the exterior siding mounting bracketcomprising: a base member for attachment to the substructure andincluding at least one elongated wall for projecting outward from thesubstructure; a trim member including an outer flange for receiving thesiding between the substructure and the outer flange and having anelongated first side partition and an elongated second side partitionspaced from the first side partition, the first and second sidepartitions each extending from the outer flange inward toward the basefor snap fitting to the at least one elongated wall; and a waterdiversion device including a trough located above the partition, thetrough being supported by the outer flange and projecting toward thebase member for receiving and diverting water run-off away from thesubstructure; the water diversion device including an eave projectingfrom the base toward the outer flange above the trough for drainingwater into the trough; and the water diversion device including at leastone hole extending through the outer flange so that water draining fromthe at least one hole travels down at least one of the first and secondside portions.
 38. The exterior siding mounting bracket set forth inclaim 37 wherein the eave includes an elongated shelf extending betweenopposite ends and end dams extending from the elongated shelf at theopposite ends.
 39. The exterior siding mounting bracket set forth inclaim 38 wherein the elongated shelf is spaced from the outer flange ofthe trim member.
 40. The exterior siding mounting bracket set forth inclaim 38 wherein the eave includes a backsplash that extends between theend dams along the base and is chamfered.